Are Mac Lipsticks Paraben Free


{photo courtesy of Musings of a Muse}

MAC Cosmetics also gives customers rewards for recycling. When you return six completely used containers to the MAC counter, you can walk away with free makeup. 'Because we share your commitment. 15 Paraben free makeup brands – without Phthalates and Silicones. Makeup products are using a variety of chemical additives in order to achieve their effects permanently. However, these ingredients are often problematic for the human body and the environment. Three of these ingredients in makeup are parabens, phthalates and silicones.

Discontinued Mac Lipsticks

I bet you never thought you would ever hear me utter the words 'MAC Haul' now, did you? Now, I would never buy their makeup because it is full of Parabens, but I have heard such good things about their brushes over the years, I figured I would give them a shot.
I purchased the Adoring Carmine Face set (no longer available) at Dillard's after Christmas sale for $18. They retail for around $50, so I thought it was a steal.
These are special smaller versions of regular sized MAC brushes that are only available during the holidays. I have to say that I was impressed with the packaging, carrying case and the overall beauty of the brush handles. It's a lovely color.
Included are Special Edition versions of the 187 (duo fiber), 190 (foundation brush), 168 (angled contour) and 194 (concealer).
I washed them and starting using them a couple weeks ago (yes, I'm slow). I was surprised at how many hairs came out of the 187 (known as the skunk brush) when I washed it. The rest had little to no shedding.
I've been using Loew Cornell Maxine's Mop artists brushes for about six months now and am really impressed with the quality. I wash them every week and my eyeshadow brush daily. No shedding and they look new. I wanted to put that out there so you know the quality level I am accustomed to using.
I can't believe a company as lauded as MAC would sell customers such a collection of crap brushes. I wish I could get my $18 back. The 187 is a huge disappointment and not a fan of the 168 either. The others are meh, I've bought similar quality brushes at Big Lots.
The first time I used the 187 was to stipple wet foundation. I kept pulling brush hairs off my face and onto my sink - 23 hairs in total. Every time the brush touched my face, it left a hair behind. The next time I used it with mineral foundation - got 6 that time. Then a wash, another 9 hairs. I used the 168 for blush. No shedding but I was not impressed with the performance or it's ability to keep it's shape.
I know these brushes can't be compared side-by-side with the full sizes brushes. These are machine made while the others are hand made. But, that 187 is the worst shedding brush I have ever used.
Here is a review along with other photos from Musings of a Muse. She liked them.
Reviews from Makeup Alley. Most had my experience.

Just like with any other conventional makeup brand, lipstick falls prey to the many issues and dangers of beauty products. In fact, it may be one of the worst beauty products to buy on the market if you are not buying all-natural and organic options.

That is because lipstick is filled with tons of chemical ingredients that are toxic to our bodies, but most notably, they contain dense levels of strong pigmentation to give them their rich and vibrant color – and of course, that pigmentation is not coming from natural sources, but artificially crafted color.

The 10 Best Natural and Organic Lipsticks:

Since we have learned a little bit about the toxic ingredients commonly found in lipstick, what the avoid, and how to choose a lipstick that is safe and healthy, let us check out the 10 best natural and organic lipsticks.

Free

1. 100% Pure Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick

Mineral

This special formula always makes sure your lips never look dry and cracked, but full and plump. This lipstick is colored with fruit pigments and no synthetic colors made in a lab. Colors come from fruits like cabernet grapes, plums, tomatoes, blueberries, blackberries, apricots, peaches, pomegranates, and tons more! Pure cocoa butter, shea butter, and vitamin E oil act as nourishing ingredients to keep your lips soft and hydrated. It also helps the color of the lipstick to be more vibrant.

These matte lipsticks come in a wide range of colors and are matte, opaque, and long-lasting wear. All of 100% Pure’s lipsticks are vegan

2. W3LL PEOPLE – Nudist ColorBalm Stick

W3ll People is a much-loved brand and the recipient of many makeup and beauty awards for the best natural and healthy makeup and beauty products. This lipstick and lip balm gives your lips sheen color and is not too thick, heavy, and cakey. This is a deeply nourishing lipstick balm that provides gorgeous shine and deeply penetrating lip moisture. The extreme moisture comes from organic omega and rosehip oils and aloe vera to soothe cracked and chapped lips.

Nudist ColorBalm also has a natural fragrance of vanilla mint and it is made with 100% natural ingredients. This product is made in the USA and is never tested on animals as well.

Made WITHOUT Artificial preservatives, parabens, harsh chemicals, dyes, fragrance, silicone, dimethicone, phthalates, sulfates, petroleum, talc, bismuth oxychloride, and nanoparticles.

3. Rejuva Minerals Pur’ Lips Lipstick

Rejuva Minerals is an EWG verified brand, so you can feel super safe and confident using their healthy and pure lipsticks. Their lipsticks come in many different shades and are made with 61.65% organic ingredients. They are vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free as well. Pur’ Lips lipstick is color with minerals only and has absolutely no FD&C dyes or carmine (which are actually insect parts – can you say gross?) the lipstick tubes are packaged with no BPA or phthalates.

Ingredients in this lipstick are kept simple with organic sunflower, organic jojoba, pomegranate, mica, organic coconut, organic carnauba, candelilla, vitamin E from sunflowers, organic shea butter, organic vanilla, and iron oxide.

4. Coastal Classic Creations Lipstick

Another EWG verified brand, Coastal Classic lipsticks and beautiful and healthy for your lips and body alike. This lipstick is paraben-free, fragrance-free, allergen-free, and gluten-free.

Ingredients in this lipstick include: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Seed Oil; Candelilla (Euphorbia Cerifera) Wax; Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera) Wax; Sesame (Sesamum Indicum) Seed Oil; Orange (Citrus aurantium) Oil; Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citrus) Oil; May Contain: Iron oxides CI 77491, CI 77492*

“*Note: Our iron oxides fully conform to the European Union Directive 2008/128/EC for purity requirements as well as meeting all requirements of US 21 Code of Federal Regulations for purity.”

European regulations on beauty products are significantly more strict than that of the US, so you can feel safe and comfortable with the safety of this lipstick and brand.

5. isoi Bulgarian Rose Lip Treatment Balm

isoi Is EWG verified as well and is also an Amazon top choice. This lipstick is non-toxic and has absolutely no artificial fragrance or chemical colorants. Furthermore, there are no parabens or nasty chemical preservatives either.

This is a great product if you are looking for color-tinted lips, but want your lip color to be protective against rough and chapped lips, especially in the cold winter months. Natural ingredients like Bulgarian rose oil, beeswax, and rosehip oil are perfect for providing your lips with hydrating and essential oil. This will leave your lips feeling soft and supple. Don’t we all want that?

Ingredients in this lipstick include the following: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Vitis vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Beeswax, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Sodium Citrate, Dextrin, Carmine, Potassium Alum.

6. True + Luscious Super Moisture Lipstick

Want a lipstick that has gorgeous color but will pack a serious punch of moisture for your lips? If so, you are going to want to get your hands on this natural lipstick. It comes in many fun and neutral colors so there is something for everyone’s taste.

Their formula is made with no sulfates, phthalates, parabens, triclosan, and more than 500 other ingredients to comply with CLEAN beauty standards. It is also cruelty-free and vegan. With natural botanicals and natural fruit and flower extracts, this healthier and cleaner lipstick is definitely something you need to try out.

7. Fifth & Skin Better’n Ur Lips Natural Lipstick

Free

This moisturizing lipstick is made with natural and organic ingredients that are meant to deeply moisturize and nourish your lips when you are wearing it. Mango butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, grape seed oil gives the lipstick its lush and moisturizing feel that you desperately need when wearing lipstick.

Other ingredients like oregano, thyme, cinnamon, vanilla, rosemary, lavender, and mineral colors finish off the lipstick formula. They always make their lipstick in the USA and follow strict guidelines for keeping their products clean and safe.

8. Mineral Fusion Gem Lip Stick

Mineral Fusion makes lots of natural and high-quality makeup that so many people love and their bold and rich lipstick are no different. It comes in heaps of colors, it helps soften your lips so they don’t dry out, and it also has really good staying power for a natural lipstick.

Mac Pink Lipsticks

You also do not have to worry about your lipstick feathering or smudging as you wear it. Powerful antioxidants like pomegranate, red tea, white tea, vitamins C, and vitamin E help protect and nourish your lips at the same time.

9. Luxury by Sofia Organic Lipstick

This highly pigmented organic lipstick is made with healthy and simple ingredients like castor Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Leaf Extract, Lavender Flower Extract, Vitamin E, and Vanilla Extract, and so much more!

The lipstick is 100% free from any and all chemicals so you don’t have to worry one bit about what you are applying to your lips so close to your mouth. You will also not find any gluten; it is vegan as well and cruelty-free. It is long-lasting, moisturizing, and will not smudge.

10. Mom’s Secret Natural Matte Lipstick

Made with organic and all-natural ingredients, Mom’s Secret lipstick may just be the best-kept secret in the organic makeup industry. This lipstick is vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and non-GMO. You will not find any artificial colors or preservatives as well. It is made in the USA from antioxidant-rich ingredients that also moisturize, nourish, and heal your lips.

Examples of these powerful ingredients are coconut oil, avocado oil, and jojoba oil. Even though this is a matte lipstick that can tend to feel super dry and heavier on the lips, the addition of the oils keeps your lips feeling hydrated and healthy as you wear the lipstick.

The Dangers of “Unnatural” Lipstick

Heavy Metals

Many popular unnatural brands of lipstick contain very concerning levels of heavy metals. According to a study done at the University of California-Berkley School of Public Health, they tested 32 different lipsticks and lip glosses contained heavy metals that include chromium, lead, cadmium, manganese, and aluminum.

  • Chromium – a known human carcinogen and linked to stomach tumors and cancers.
  • Lead – a neurotoxin and hormone disruptor with no safe limits for the human body.
  • Cadmium – accumulative exposure to our body can cause liver damage and fragile bones.
  • Manganese – too much of this metal can cause symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
  • Aluminum –a known neurotoxin and carcinogen.

Although the FDA has set “safe” limits for these heavy metals, research may be flawed. Additionally, they do not take into account how accumulative exposure to these heavy metals in beauty products will affect the human body in the long run – which is the most important aspect right? This is so concern for lipstick use because most women reapply their lipstick at least two times per day. Over the course of a lifetime, that is a lot of heavy metal buildup within the human body.

Other Ingredients to Watch Out For

Are Mac Lipsticks Paraben Free Product

Heavy metals in your lipstick are not the only toxic ingredients you need to be concerned about. Below are just a few of the other chemical and toxic ingredients found in conventional lipstick that may have detrimental effects on the human body. This is by no means a comprehensive list and many more concerning ingredients are lurking in those fancy lipstick tubes.

Phthalates and Synthetic Fragrance

Both of these ingredients should be avoided at all costs. The fragrance is where many companies can hide a laundry list of chemicals and artificial ingredients. Companies are not required to disclose what is included in the term “fragrance.” Additionally, most fragrances are stabilized with phthalates, which are chemicals that are linked to reproductive issues and birth defects when tested on animals.

Paraben Free Lipstick Brands

BHA and BHT

BHA and BHT are often found in foundations as a preservative. They are a type of synthetic antioxidant and can cause cancers and negatively affect hormone function in the body. Exposure to these substances for an extended period of time has been linked to liver, kidney, and thyroid conditions in mice and can promote tumor growth in certain conditions.

Methylparabens and Propylparabens

These are parabens that are used as a preservative in many cosmetics, including lipsticks. The scary thing is that while we can still use these ingredients in the US, they have been banned all throughout the EU because they have been proven as toxic to humans.

How to Find a Safe Lipstick

There is a couple of tricks that make it easy when you are searching for your new natural lipstick. Many brands claim they are natural or “uses natural ingredients.” However, that doesn’t mean they are actually natural – it could still be loaded with chemicals and toxic ingredients. Since cosmetics are not fully regulated, cosmetic companies are not required to fully disclose what is in their products.

This means that all a company has to do is use one naturally derived ingredient in their product such as jojoba oil, and they can claim they use “natural ingredients.” Obviously, this does not mean the product is safe or natural.

Are Mac Lipsticks Paraben Free Spray

Be sure that you read the ingredient list and keep an eye out for any of the above ingredients that are commonly found in lipsticks. Some natural and organic brands can still use ingredients you may not want to use for your body. We always like to say that if you cannot pronounce an ingredient or have no idea what the ingredient is, put that lipstick product down and search for another option.

Paraben Free List

Conclusion

Often, a laundry list of ingredients is a red flag as well and all of those ingredients are unnecessary. Try and find lipsticks and lip-glosses with as few ingredients as possible.

Which Lipstick Is Paraben Free

This article was last updated on June 14, 2021 .

Related posts: